Hey guys,
I have an 83 320i. The other day I filled the tank to the top and noticed all this gasoline dripping on the side of my car, the side of the tank. What I'm wondering is, is there some sort of built in tank overflow? If I top the tank off, is it supposed to do this? I should mention that there isn't any overflow drain at the point where the gas is dispensed into the tank. The leak? is occuring at or near the tank.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,
Eric
I have an 83 320i. The other day I filled the tank to the top and noticed all this gasoline dripping on the side of my car, the side of the tank. What I'm wondering is, is there some sort of built in tank overflow? If I top the tank off, is it supposed to do this? I should mention that there isn't any overflow drain at the point where the gas is dispensed into the tank. The leak? is occuring at or near the tank.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,
Eric
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 8:59 AMThis is a common problem in earlier Bimmer models - especially your e21 3-series and the earlier 2002 in which there were no vapor pressure relief mechanisms built into the fuel system.
The already-flawed paint job on my 72 2002 suffered from excessive peeling on the right hand side quarter panel because of this spilling-out at the filler cap.
Here's a photo:
pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mosts...st/detail
As you can imagine, that since it's been extremely hot recently, and if you topped your tank off - as pressure built up in your tank from heat expansion, the only place it can be relieved is out of the fuel filler neck at the cap.
No worries, it's normal. Just be sure you clean it up really well, if for nothing else but for your paint's sake! -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 9:53 AMin this heat, i'm keeping the gas to an 8 gallon maximum. the first time it happened, i kinda freaked out...LOL
now...i know.
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 9:57 AMHi,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to see the paint peeling. Big Bummer.
The gas leaking in my car is coming from under the car. Does this fit into your explanation? Or, are you talking just about spilling from the cap? -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 1:31 PMYeah, it was a bummer about the paint - a better paint job (previous owner) and the peeling wouldn't have happened.
Luckily - for cosmetic reasons, among other things - I drive an 05 red and white MINI now. But aaaah, I do miss the 02.
I'm wondering if the leak from underneath the car is just a result of the gas 'drooling' down the filler neck after escaping from the cap, and then dripping off at the underside of the car.
I would try my best to actually observe where the leak was coming from on a full tank.
Also, is it only happening on top-off/full? Hot days only? How bad is it leaking? Drips? Gushing? -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 4:04 PMThe first thing I checked was if there was an overflow drain for the purpose of catching gas when we topoff. My car doesn't have one so I can't see where and how it starts its spilling. As far as how much it "spills" well, just after topping it off, it comes out in a pretty big way. Today at the gas station there was an immediate puddle under the tank. ( PS. in Oregon we aren't allowed to fill our tanks. The attendant does it. Just thought I would mention it in case you don't live in Oregon ). I'm not sure about the hot day detail because I've recently noticed it and the fill up has always been in the morning time.
One point to mention, is that the spilling stops after about five minutes. Presumably after it falls beyond some point in the tank. -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, July 27, 2006 - 6:59 PMmaybe there's a hose or something on the top of the tank that has a leak, or possibly a leak where the filler neck goes into the tank?
just guessing. i haven't delved into the gas tank...YET. it's on the list. LOL -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Fri, July 28, 2006 - 10:33 AMWell, I might have the answer. I brought my car to a mechanic for something else and mentioned the gas tank leak. He suggested that it is possible the tank was bumped from undernieth thus sending the device which draws gas from the tank ,upward. This in turn popped out a seel which holds the things down into the tank. Thus, when the tank was filled to its maximum, gas would spill out.
Did I make any sense? Hope so.
E. -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Thu, August 3, 2006 - 10:58 AMHere is an explanation of refurbishing your fuel tank system. This might make more sense than what I can tell you. Shows pictures of the 320i split fuel tanks etc...
www.coeinc.org/BMW320i/Fuel.htm
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Fri, October 27, 2006 - 11:58 AMI used to have an '87 325e, did the same thing, each time I filled up. Was told that the top of the gas tank was rusted and a hole had formed, and a new one would be in the $1000+ price range. Given that I'd just put $1500 in for a new exhaust and catalytic converter... I sold the car. That being said, my current BMW had a similar problem where I'd smell gas when the tank was full, and it turned out to be a worn out seal near the fuel pump. -
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Re: Spilling gasoline.
Fri, October 27, 2006 - 1:58 PMi found a couple of other possibilities out (first hand) about other places the gas smells can come from.
one is the fuel pressure accumulator that is under the car near the 2nd fuel pump. there is also a fitting there that can leak. the seam on my accumulator had deteriorated and i was losing about 1/8 of a tank from that. replaced it, the fitting and the hoses associated with it and i'm getting some nice mileage now! the car also doesn't feel like it's struggling to accelerate (probably because of better fuel pressure going to the engine.)
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